The two longest serving clubs in the Southern Combination League Premier Division meet at the Beacon as Hassocks host Pagham under lights at 7:30pm on Tuesday 29th September 2020.
Hassocks have been in the top flight since 1994, an unbroken run going back 26 years. Pagham joined them in 2007, although both sides’ long stretches of Premier Division football came under threat last season.
The Robins were 19th out of 20 in the table when the 2019-20 season was declared null and void. Pagham too had endured a season of struggle with the Lions unable to escape the clutches of the relegation zone right up until Christmas time.
Post-Christmas though and it was a different story. Bob Paine resigned from the Nyetimber Lane hot seat at the start of November and his replacement Kerry Hardwell sparked an excellent turnaround in form.
When the season was suspended in March, Pagham had pushed themselves into contention for a top 10 spot with any worries about slipping into Division One long gone.
That represented a welcome return to form for a club who have become a regular feature at the right end of the table since returning to the Premier Division 13 years ago.
Although the Lions have never quite managed to finish in the top two, they put the Peter Bentley League Cup into the trophy cabinet in 2017 when beating Haywards Heath Town at the Beacon.
A year later and they contested one of the most eagerly anticipated Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup finals of recent times, going down to arch rivals Chichester City.
The question for Pagham this season is can they revert to being a club who put in a sustained challenge towards the top of the table? It may be early days, but the signs look good so far.
Pagham this season
Hardwell and his players have carried on where they left off and are unbeaten in the league, winning two and drawing three of their fixtures to date.
Those victories have been impressive; a 6-1 hammering of Langney Wanderers on the opening day and a 2-1 win over Crawley Down Gatwick at the weekend, the Anvils’ first defeat of the campaign.
Draws with Alfold, Loxwood and Saltdean United round off the Lions’ results so far with their 12 goals the second highest total in the division, bettered only by Lancing.
Hassocks’ record against Pagham
Games with Pagham aren’t clashes that the Robins have tended to enjoy through the years. The Lions lead the head-to-head by some way, having won 27 games to the Robins’ 18 with nine draws.
Hassocks’ league form against Pagham in recent years is particularly dire. Since 2014, the Robins have picked up a grand total of seven points from a possible 36. Pagham are another opponent who Hassocks would very much count as a bogey club.
Last time we met
Considering the fact that Pagham were in sensational form after Christmas and Hassocks have a woeful recent record against them, January’s 2-0 win at the Beacon was an excellent result for the home side.
Goals from Liam Benson and Harvey Blake secured a big three points which pointed to a brighter second half of the season than the Robins had managed in the first. The star turn came from midfielder Kit Tregear, the former Burgess Hill Town and Lancing man winning man-of-the-match on his Hassocks debut.
Important information for fans attending the game
Because of government restrictions meaning that we have to shut the clubhouse by 10pm, please note that evening fixtures will all kick off at the slightly earlier time of 7:30pm, starting with the visit of Pagham.
Tickets are available on the gate only, priced at £6 adults, £3 concessions and under 16s go free. The Beacon is now accepting contactless payments at the turnstiles and in the clubhouse.
Upon entry, we need to collect supporters’ details for track and trace reasons. If you have the relevant app, you can scan our QR code on your phone upon entry. If not, then please fill in the contact form when you arrive at the ground
Once inside the ground, supporters are asked to maintain social distancing at all times. The clubhouse is operating a one way system: entrance is through the pitchside doors between the dugouts and exit is via the doors by the turnstiles.
Supporters must wear masks inside unless they are eating or drinking or are medically exempt. The Robins Bar is well stocked with lots of local beers and the T Bar will be open for hot food, teas and coffees. Our award winning matchday programme will be on sale for £1.
